green beryl-emerald-1An emerald is simply a nice green beryl,
preferably transparent. The green color
comes from the presence of
chromium within the crystal structure. This specimen
has an interesting
story. It is only about one inch across and was found in a box
of mixed
rocks purchased at a swap meet for $10. It pays to know what you are
looking at.beryl
Photo is copyright free only for
non-commercial educational uses.
Just credit photo to R.Weller/Cochise College.